(ABC 6 News) – Being a teacher comes with its good and bad days, but there’s one teacher at Ellis Middle School in Austin that doesn’t let a bad day bother her.

“I will tell you Mrs. Wagner brightens the entire building up,” said Ellis Principal, Dewey Schara.

Stephanie Wagner has taught special education at Ellis for 11 years.

“Seeing them accomplish you know their activities and learning is so important you know, and it really touches your heart,” said Mrs. Wagner.

She walks into her room every day with a smile. said a student of Mrs. Wagner’s.

“She makes me happy she makes me do stuff and cook and do all that,” said one student.

“She makes me happy,” said a student of Mrs. Wagner’s.

“She’s kind to all the kids,” said another student.

A kindness and drive to help students with special needs started at a young age.

“I have a sibling with a disability and so she is my why, why I’m an educator,” said Mrs. Wagner.

And not just any educator but an excellent one.

“Really exciting I have a really great job. My kids make it wonderful,” said Mrs. Wagner.

“Every student that Stephanie works with has very unique needs and might need accommodations in order to participate and do their best in school. Not only does she make sure they are successful in school but really goes the extra mile to make sure her students can participate in extracurricular activities, anything going on around the school. She makes sure they have the accommodations order for them to participate,” said Executive Director of Special Services, Sheri Willrodt.

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